PL Primary Stars

Premier League celebrates five years of PL Primary Stars

20 Jun 2022

Pupils and teachers to be recognised for their dedication to schools programme

The Premier League is celebrating five years of its schools' programme Premier League Primary Stars.

Launched in 2017 and available to every primary school in England and Wales, Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to support pupils in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field.

To celebrate, clubs have nominated a "Superstar" - a young person or teacher who has inspired others through their dedication to the programme, enthusiasm and own personal development.

"Clubs do fantastic work to support children’s learning and we are very proud this national education programme now engages more than 18,500 primary schools in England and Wales"

Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive

Each "Superstar" will receive a Nike Strike football, thanks to Premier League partner Nike, and a framed, limited-edition five-year anniversary illustration, created by graphic designer and digital illustrator Zem Clarke.

"We launched Premier League Primary Stars five years ago to support teachers and use the power and popularity of football to inspire children in the classroom and on the sports field," said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters.

"Clubs do fantastic work to support children’s learning and we are very proud that this national education programme now engages more than 18,500 primary schools in England and Wales.

"Congratulations to all those who have been recognised as a Premier League Primary Stars Superstar, as part of the five-year anniversary celebrations, and thank you to all those involved in the programme over the years."

Teacher support

Currently 105 professional football clubs from across the leagues run in-classroom Premier League Primary Stars sessions in local schools.

More than 58,000 teachers have signed up to access free online national curriculum-linked resources.

Premier League Primary Stars provides teachers and parents with free downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers, and in collaboration with experts such as the National Literacy Trust and the PSHE Association.

Clubs provide in-school support to teachers, delivering educational sessions to schools in their communities.

"It is important to measure progress, but it is also important to see our pupils expand their thinking and learn about key subjects in a fun and engaging way"

Natalie Sutton, school manager at Sandfield Close Primary

"The Premier League Primary Stars programme has opened up so many opportunities and doors to us that we wouldn't have been able to open on our own," said Natalie Sutton, school manager at Sandfield Close Primary.

"We've had such a positive experience since joining back in 2018. It is important to measure progress but, for me, it is also important to see our pupils expand their thinking and learn about key subjects in a fun and engaging way.

"It has all been so positive for us as teachers, but more importantly beneficial to the learning of our pupils."

Community investment

The Premier League funds Premier League Primary Stars and other community programmes through its £100million investment per season in community facilities and community and education programmes.

This is the biggest voluntary contribution to communities and other good causes of any football league in the world.

Visit PLPrimaryStars.com for more information.